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UPDATE
UF/IFAS EXTENSION
ALACHUA COUNTY
An Equal Opportunity Institution
2800 NE 39 TH AVENUE • GAINESVILLE, FL 32609 • (352) 955-2402
APRIL 2015
Inside this Issue:
2015 Youth Fair &
Livestock Show ...................... 1
Getting Ready for Spring....... 2
Statewide MG Coordinator,
Wendy Wilber.......................... 3
Upcoming Programs........ 3 & 4
2015 ALACHUA COUNTY
YOUTH FAIR & LIVESTOCK SHOW
By:
Dr. Cindy Sanders
County Extension Director/Livestock Agent
The 2015 Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show was held March
6-10, 2015, at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Approximately 450 FFA
and 4-H youth from Alachua County exhibited their livestock and nonlivestock projects. Blue ribbons were plentiful as these youth proudly
exhibited their poultry, rabbits, beef, market swine, dairy heifer, breeding
goats, market goats, market steers, and non-livestock projects and
demonstrations.
New this year was a hay bale decorating contest, where 4-H clubs
creatively decorated 4 square bales. On Monday, March 9th,
approximately 450 elementary students participated in the school tours,
sponsored by Alachua County Farm Bureau. These students got to see
up close chickens, rabbits, cattle, play beef bingo, and milk Ms. Moo!
What a great experience for these kids.
On the final day of the fair, the market swine, steers, and goats were sold.
This year was a record breaking sale for our Youth Fair.
Thank you to all the businesses and individuals that come out and support
our youth.
Cindy Sanders, Ph.D.
UF/IFAS Extension
Alachua County
Extension Director
[email protected]
alachua.ifas.ufl.edu
FFA & 4-H youth participating in the 2015 Youth Fair & Livestock Show.
Getting Ready for Spring
by:
Wendy Wilber, Envirnonmental Horticulture Agent
The pollen has cleared and now
we are ready for spring. There
are many spring chores to do this
month. This is a great time to
plant vegetables and herbs.
Vegetables:
Continue planting warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, eggplant, and later in the
month get the okra and sweet potatoes started. Mulch well to prevent weeds and provide irrigation if
rainfall is lacking. Request the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide from the Extension Office or access it
on line at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH021.
Plant heat-loving herbs, including: basil, oregano, sage, Mexican tarragon, and rosemary. They all need to
be in full sun for good growth.
For Your Lawn:
Apply fertilizer no sooner than mid-April after new growth has started. Choose a fertilizer (not a “weed and
feed”) with little or no phosphorus unless a soil test indicates the need for it. A fertilizer with controlledrelease nitrogen yields longer-lasting results. Look for a product with an analysis like 15-0-15 for best
results. Contact the Extension Office if you need to get your soil tested, they will send you the instructions
and the soil bag that you will need to take to the lab.
Shrubs:
Choose from a wide variety of shrubs to add to the landscape now. Prune azaleas and other spring
bloomers (camellias, spirea and hydrangeas) right after they are done blooming. If you wait too long into
the summer you will be cutting off next year’s bloom.
Trees:
Consider planting a spring-blooming tree, such as fringetree, Carolina silver bell, dogwood or redbud.
Other Chores in the Yard:
•
Monitor landscape plants weekly for aphids on tender new growth.
•
Identify and conserve beneficial insects. Some insects should be encouraged in your yard!
See: Beneficial Insects (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_beneficial_insects)
•
Add mulch to minimize weeds and conserve moisture during dry weather. Organic mulches add
nutrients to the soil. See: Landscape Mulches: What Are the Choices in Florida?
(http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr079)
Wendy Wilber accepts position on UF campus
as the new Statewide Master Gardener Coordinator
Wendy has served as the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Extension Agent for
Alachua County for the past 15 years. She also is the coordinator for the Alachua
County Master Gardener program. Wendy has developed strong Extension programs in Alachua County, with 140 volunteers, and a large following of local citizens.
Her programs and expertise have been in the areas of Florida Friendly Landscaping™, sustainable food production, water conservation, 4-H youth programs, and
gardening. Wendy will now be sharing her expertise throughout Florida with over
4,000 Master Gardener volunteers as the new Statewide Master Gardener Coordinator. Congratulations, Wendy!
UPCOMING EXTENSION PROGRAMS
Please call (352)337-6209 (voicemail) to register for the programs listed below or (352)955-2402 for additional information.
Unless otherwise stated, programs will be held at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office, 2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville.
Date
Time
Ag Tour
Program
April 10
8:00 am4:00 pm
$30.00 pp
includes
lunch & bus
fee
A Farmer’s Market & Local
Food Promotion Program:
Grant Writing
April 13
9:00 am1:00 pm
No cost
Registation is available
online at http://amstaalachua.eventbrite.com
This workshop will focus on effective grant writing
strategies for USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
(AMS) programs such as the Farmers’ Market Promotion
Program and the Local Food Promotion Program.
However, techniques and skills learned will be useful
across USDA agencies. The workshop is open to
all individuals and groups seeking to better connect
agricultural producers and consumers through local food
systems.
Master Herdsman Series
April 13
April 20
April 27
May 4
May 11
6:008:00 pm
Barton
Wilder
$50.00 series
$20.00 per
class/$30.00
for late
registration
Registration is available
online with additional
fee at
http://tinyurl.com/
p5v5y3g
This series will cover: goats, poultry, equine, cattle,
economics and forage production. Participants must
attend at least 4 workshops to become a Master Herdsman.
Classes will be held at the Suwannee Valley Ag Extension
Farm, 8202 CR 417, Live Oak.
Building Your Own Farm’s
Food Safety Manual
April 14
8:00 am5:00 pm
Aparna
Gazula
$35.00
(primary)
$15.00
(secondary)
Registation is
available online with
additional fee at
https://eventbrite.com/
event/15522634618/ or
contact our office for a
registration form.
One-day workshop to help growers develop their own food
safety manuals. At the end of the workshop, your farm
will have to a ready to print copy of teh main components
of a food safety manual and plan. The class is done on a
computer - limited to 20 farms, using a web-based food
safety manual development program. The class will be
held at the UF Straughn Center, 2142, Shealy Drive,
Gainesville.
Canning Workshop
April 14
1:303:30 pm &
6:008:00 pm
Brenda
Williams
No cost
Pre-register by calling
352-486-5131
Provides basic information on canning foods using the
steam pressure/boiling-water canner. Directions & tips
will also be included on making jams, jellies and pickles.
Printed materials will be available for $3.00 per set. This
class will be held at the UF/IFAS Extension Levy County
Office, 625 N Hathway Avenue Alt 27, Bronson.
Fruits for Alachua County
April 14
6:308:00 pm
Aparna
Gazula
No cost
Pre-register at least 3
days prior to class
Learn techniques to successfully grow fruits such as
persimmons, peaches, pomegranates, figs, grapes and more
in your landscape.
Canning Workshop
April 21
1:303:30 pm &
6:008:00 pm
Brenda
Williams
No cost
Pre-register by calling
352-498-1219
Provides basic information on canning foods using the
steam pressure/boiling-water canner. Directions & tips
will also be included on making jams, jellies and pickles.
Printed materials will be available for $3.00 per set. This
class will be held at the Dixie County Public Library,
16328 SE 19 Hwy., Cross City.
Native Plants for Your
Landscape for Earth Day
April 22
4:005:30 pm
Master
Gardener
Volunteer
No cost
Pre-register at least 3
days prior to class
Learn the correct use of native plants by putting
the right plant in the right place.
Beekeeping Program
April 25
9:00 am1:00 pm
Aparna
Gazula
No cost
Pre-register at least 3
days prior to class
This program covers hive disease and pest management.
There will be demonstrations with live bees, protective
clothing is required. This class will be held at the UF Plant
Science Field Classrooms, 1301 Fifield Hall.
Green Industries Best
Management Practices
April 28
8:30 am4:00 pm
Aparna
Gazula
& Barton
Wilder
$25.00
includes
lunch &
materials
Pre-register at least 3
days prior to class
To train in Best Management Practices working in lawn,
landscape, pest control or Municipal grounds areas.
CEUs available.
Florida-Friendly
April 28
6:30 8:00 pm
Wendy
Wilber
No cost
Pre-register at least 3
days prior to class
Learn techniques and time for correct pruning and
placing the right plant in the right place. This class will
be held at the Tower Road Library, 3020 SW 75 Street,
Gainesville.
Attracting Butterflies to
Your Garden
May 5
6:30 8:00 pm
Master
Gardener
Volunteer
No cost
Pre-register at least 3
days prior to class
Learn butterly gardening basics from a Master Gardener
Volunteer who knows how to create a garden that will
attract butterflies.
Limited Commercial
Landscape Maintenance
May 14
9:00 am5:00 pm
Aparna
Gazula
& Barton
Wilder
$30.00
includes
lunch &
materials
Pre-register at least 3
days prior to class
For Landscape Maintenance Contractors applying
pesticides to their customers’ plant beds or shrubs. CEU’s
will be awarded.
Landscaping™ Pruning
Instructor
Cost
Registration
Description
Pre-register by April 6th Come and learn more about what is growing in Alachua
(payment due at
County’s backyard and see what local agriculture is all
registration)
about. Registration is limited to the first 50 pre-paid
registrants.
Upcoming programs continued on the next page.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
GAINESVILLE, FL
PERMIT NO. 94
Alachua County
2800 NE 39th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32609
UPCOMING EXTENSION PROGRAMS
Please call (352)337-6209 (voicemail) to register for the programs listed below or (352)955-2402 for additional information.
Unless otherwise stated, programs will be held at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office, 2800 NE 39 Avenue, Gainesville.
Program
Date
Time
Instructor
Cost
Registration
Description
Master Gardener Plant Sale
& Ag Fest
May 16
8:00 am12:00 pm
Food Safety & Quality
Program (ServSafe®)
May 20
8:30 am4:30 pm
Brenda
Williams
Private Applicator
Pesticide School
May 21
9:00 am5:00 pm
Aparna
Gazula
& Barton
Wilder
$10.00
includes
lunch
Pre-register at least 3 days
prior to class
This workshop is designed to provide training for the
private applicator agricultural pest control license.
The private applicator license is required for anyone
that applies restricted use pesticides to their own farm,
greenhouse or nursery.
Honey Extraction - Hive
Inspections; Bee Forages
& Plants
June 13
9:00 am1:00 pm
Aparna
Gazula
No cost
Pre-register at least 3 days
prior to class
This workshop will focus on the procedures to follow
for extracting and bottling honey. We will also discuss
hive inspections to conduct for this time of the year
and bee forages and plants. We will be working with
live bees, protective clothing is required.
Green Industries Best
Management Practices
June 18
8:30 am4:00 pm
Aparna
Gazula
& Barton
Wilder
$25.00
includes
lunch &
materials
Pre-register at least 3 days
prior to class
To train in Best Management Practices working in
lawn, landscape, pest control or Municipal grounds
areas. CEUs available.
A fundraiser for the Alachua County Master Gardener
Volunteer Program. There will be a wide selection of
various plants, herbs, annuals, perennials, etc. available
at very affordable prices. At the Ag Fest come and
learn about information on growing fruit, bees, raised
bed gardening and much more!
Visit http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/
The ServSafe® Curriculum meets the Florida
extension/hnfs/FoodSafety/
requirement for certification for food service managers.
for registration and cost or call
toll free 1-888-232-8723 and
leave message for return call.
An Equal Opportunity Institution. Extension Service, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Nick T. Place,
Dean. Single copies of Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county
Extension offices.